Kentucky Search Dog Certification

May 9-10, 2026

 Check-in 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. CST

Upper Green River Preserve

W. Walters Road

Horse Cave, KY 42749

Course Description

This event shall begin the Commonwealth of KY Search Dog Certification Program as defined in 106 KAR 1:390.  Pre-requisites for this course are a 20 hour Basic Search and Rescue (BSAR) course and the Search Management Initial Response Incident Commander (SMIRIC) offered by the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM), as well as FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) classes IS-100, IS-200. IS-700, and IS-800 offered online at: Emergency Management Institute - National Incident Management System (NIMS)  

Handler Criteria

This course is open to all Emergency Management, Rescue, Fire, Emergency Medical, and Law Enforcement personnel or any organization with dogs, having the responsibility of searching for missing or lost persons.

Special Notes

A maximum of ten (10) Air Scent Dogs and ten (10) Tracking or Trailing Dogs will be accepted for this testing session. Specific dog-related questions should be directed to Charles Cooper at: Phone: 270-774-7486; Email: sardogky@hotmail.com. Applications will be on a first come basis and must be received by May 2^nd, 2026. Meals, lodging and travel expenses are the responsibility of the Dog Handler and will not be reimbursed by KYEM.

Onsite Check-in will be Saturday, May 9^th, 2026, from 08:00am until 10:00 am CST.

Registration

Registration application for this testing session can be completed using the following link: https://forms.logiforms.com/formdata/user_forms/25701_7726379/94172/and click on register. Please ensure that you select the type of certification you are seeking for your dog from the drop down under the course selection. Applicants will be notified if the event is cancelled. For this reason, it is imperative you provide accurate contact information.

For more information contact:

Heather Renfrow, KYEM Administrative Specialist Senior

Phone: 502-607-2308; Email: heather.renfrow@ky-em.org